GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — It's been the most difficult year ever for 6th grade teacher Ali McDuffy.
"Everyone has their own challenges and this year has brought along a million new challenges that no one in their life would of imagined," says McDuffy.
But now there is hope because McDuffy, who teaches in Rockford, is scheduled to receive her COVID-19 vaccine next week.
"It's huge and I feel like it's finally to the point where we can kind of take a deep breath and let it out.....we don't have to hold it in," says McDuffy.
Vaccinations have also started for staff at Grand Rapids Public Schools but leaders say some are frustrated at how long the process will take.
"We continue to emphasize to our staff, this is not going to be days and weeks, this is going to be months and as much as up to six months is what we heard most recently," says John Helmholdt with GRPS.
The other issue is that many districts are not requiring that employees get vaccinated, but McDuffy is hopeful that her fellow teachers will take part.
"Most people become teachers because they want to help and better society and I think this is our way to show that we truly believe that," says McDuffy.
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